He Walks!

The very same day I threatened to buy Sam a baby wheel chair (the moment I said it, I realized I already have one - it's called a stroller), he took his first steps! Coincidence? I think not.

First Game of the Season and First Game Ever

Here's a recap with all the stats:

1 time Chad had to use the tee (the rest were coach pitched), and it's tee ball! So proud.

3 times Chad had to be reminded not to kick up the dirt and ruin the chalk lines.

1 awfully cute cheerleader.

5 point harness came in very handy for a good portion of the game. Sam was some serious trouble on the sidelines. The restraint allowed him to focus all of his attention on heckling the batters.

11 Aloha team members crouched down and playing in the dirt all at one time.

1 argument between team members regarding who got to throw the ball to first base.

2 team players per base, as a general rule.

Oh, how I love tee ball.

A Break in the Sunshine

Not usually a fan of rain clouds and 60 degree weather in June, but today was different. After weeks of sunshine, I welcomed the rain (more like mist). Perhaps a sign that I have finally acclimated to Oregon? I just discovered soy nuts and kinda like them. Another sign? Probably not entirely acclimated. On days like this, there is a certain earthy tree smell. I love that smell. Even when I am 800 miles from home, that smell still reminds me of growing up in the foothills of the Wasatch mountains. That smell makes me feel at home and away from home all at the same time. I opened a window to let it all in, and discovered a happy compromise for Sam & I. We have one window without a screen in the kitchen. With that window open, Sam feels like he's outside and I am happy to have him in! My baby still refuses to walk. I'm growing weary of taking slivers out of his chubby little knees. Chad blew bubbles to him, probably causing a a sticky film on my floor but well worth it if that stinkin horse fly found his way out the window. He's been tormenting me for days.

Conversations with a 5 year old

After being told to do yet another task, Chad announced his candidacy for Oregon president. His first item of business: create a law where I would be subject to his every whim. I gave this serious thought (he very well could have a political future), then tried to distract him by telling him that when he is a parent, he will get to tell his kids what to do. That idea spurred a ten minute brainstorm of what we could make Chad's children do. Here are a few ideas we came up with:

1. Make them go to Disneyland even if they want to go someplace else, like Ohio.
2. Play UNO all day long.
3. Brush their teeth.
4. Clean the entire house.
5. Make them visit their grandparents, even when they are teenagers and refuse to go (I added that one).
6. Deny them all vegetables.

I'm thinking I should probably exercise my parental rights more often, while I still have them.

Little Dancer

Aubrey just had her first dance recital! It took her about half the program to warm up to the idea that the audience wasn't going anywhere and she may as well dance if the music is on. Thanks Heidi! That was an amazing program! And someday, if I can ever figure out how to convert my video files, I will post a video of Aubrey dancing.

Weekend Roundup

It just so happened to be the highly anticipated weekend where we brought home the class pet, Pumpkin the hamster. Chad had tried to make a deal with us: If we fall in love with the hamster, we will buy one for our very own. Something Chad did not anticipate: it's very hard for adults to fall in love with rodents. Something we did not anticipate: it's very easy for kids to fall in love with rodents. Something the rodent did not anticipate: babies think hamster run-about balls are to be played with just as other balls. Poor hamster, probably looking forward to a little peace and quiet back in the kindergarten classroom. I think it's best that we hold off on the hamster purchase for a bit.


Mother's Day had a rough start. Unbeknown to all supervising adults, Chad got into the licorice and ate about a pound. Causing sickness in the middle of the night, sickness that went from the top bunk all the way to the bottom (hitting everything in between). This event was not discovered until the next morning. James volunteered to clean it up alone, but seeing as we had 9 am church, it was a two person job. After church, it got much better: homemade gifts, a foot rub, a nap, a delicious dinner. Although it didn't start with breakfast in bed, it ended with Tillamook ice cream in bed (far more enjoyable, in my opinion).

Playing in the Gutters

Cloudy with the occasional showers, the perfect day for racing popsicle sticks in the gutters. Normally, I discourage my children from playing in the street, but who could deny such joy?